Automatic dump valve



March 6, 1956 A. F. HANNEY y'AUTOIVLJIIC DUMP VALVE' 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 21, 1952 3? las INVENTOR. A/va a; HANNEY March 6, 1956 A. F. HANNEY 2,737,038

AUTOMATIC DUMP VALVE Filed Nov. 2l, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 'O AUTOMATIC DUMP VALVE Angus F. Hanney, Norwood, Ohio, assignor to The American Laundry Machinery Company, Cincinnati, (Ehio, a corporation of Ohio Application November 21, 1952, Serial No. 321,930

4 Claims. (Cl. 68-12) The invention relates to dump valves or drain valves for laundry washing machines.

In the operation of commercial laundry machinery, and particularly in the larger laundries, drain valves are usually operated by a servomotor powered by compressed air. ln small neighborhood Laundries having small or medium sized equipment, it is desirable that the control equipment be simple and inexpensive, and frequently such establishments do not have a source of compressed air. Attempts have heretofore been made to utilize hydraulic pressure from the water supply line to operate the drain valve, but this has been found to be unreliable because of variation in water pressure, especially when there are several washing units which may be drawing water from the line simultaneously.

An object of the present invention is to provide a drain valve which in its operation is sensitive to and responsive to the presence or absence of water in the washing chamber, in combination with additional control means to be hereinafter described.

A further object of the invention is to provide drain valve control means unaffected by variations in the water line pressure.

A further object of the invention is to provide drain valve control means of the character described in the last two preceding paragraphs, and wherein means is provided for preventing introduction of water to the washing chamber when the drain valve is open.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from a study of the following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a conventional open end washer, the front of the unit being at the left, the washer being equipped with a drain valve control means embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a partial rear elevational view of the washer shown in Fig. l, the View being taken from the right of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of a part of the drain valve control apparatus.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the drain valve and adjacent portions of the valve control apparatus.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic showing of a suitable electric circuit and associated operating elements for my drain valve control means.

Fig. 6 is a simpliiied showing of certain basic elements of the drain valve control means, for ease in understanding the control operation.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail view of a slightly modied form of liquid inlet means.

Considering first Fig. 6, there is shown a housing and supporting assembly 10 for a washer. The washer receives water through a supply pipe 11 controlled by a manually operatable valve 12. The supply pipe 11 is in free communication vwith an inlet pipev 13 to the top of the-washer', and with a stand pipe 14. At its bottom the standpoint communicates with the top portion of a 2,731,038 Patented Mar. 6, 1956 ICC valve housing 15. The washer discharge pipe 16 also communicates with valve housing 15. The drain pipe 17 goes to a drain.

Referring now to Fig. 4 which shows the interior of the drain valve, the drawings show the valve housing 15 assembled from two portions 15a and 15b having matched meeting faces between which a ilexible diaphragm 18 is peripherally grasped, the free wall portionl having sulcient slackness so that in its full line position it seals the port 19 which has an annular flange 19a to serve as a valve seat. When the diaphragm moves from the full line position to the dotted line position 18a, then the drain pipe 17 is in communication with the discharge pipe 16 and the washer can drain.

As above noted the diaphragm 18 divides the valve housing interior into two chambers 22 and 23, although there is a pocket 24 (Fig. 4) which has communication with both said chambers, for a purpose soon to appear. Pocket 24 communicates with chamber 22 through passage 25, which passage also cuts through the diaphragm, and pocket 24 communicates with chamber 23 through the frusto-conical passage 26 which acts as a seat for control valve head 27. It will now appear that when valve head 27 is seated as shown in Fig. 4, and when inlet valve 12 (Fig. 6) is opened, water enters the washer through the inlet pipe 13 to a working level predetermined at about the line L in Fig. 6. It also fills standpipe 14 to a level M, The control valve stem 28 extends upwardly through stand pipe 14, and out at the top Where it has an operating connection with a lever 29. A movable packing member 30of piston-like character, prevents water leakage at the top of the standpipe (Figs. 2 and 3). The normal tendency of the lever could be arranged to hold valve head 27 up from its seat so that this valve is normally open.

Assuming that the standpipe 14 is illed to level M as above described, and that the water in the washer is iilled to level L and there automatically maintained, as will be described later hereinbelow, the head of water H represented by the arrows in Fig. 6 imposes a preponderance of hydrostatic pressure on the right side of diaphragm 18 (Fig. 4) so as to maintain port 19 closed, and while this situation prevails there is no escape of Water from the washer. Further, assuming that at a later period the lever 29 is swung counterclockwise, so as to lift control valve stem 28 and valve head 27, the head of water in standpipe 14 is immediately dissipated through pocket 24, passage 25, and pipe 17, whereupon the head of water represented by the level L in the washer, effective through port 19 on the left side of diaphragm 18, would swing the diaphragm 18 to the right to permit the liquid in the washer to be discharged through port 19, chamber 22, and pipe 17.

Having thus described what may be termed the principle involved, by reference to simplified apparatus, attention will now be directed to electrical and mechanical elements which, in combination are effective to automatically control the duration of a washing cycle, and terminate the cycle at the end of a predetermined period. In this connection reference will be had not only to the figures already described, but also to Figs. l, 2 and 5, which show one practical embodiment including water level and timing controls. The previously used reference characters will be used when referring to identical elements.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the cylindrical washer 10a is carried on a supporting base 10b, and has therewithin a rotatable foraminous drum 10c which is rotated by means of a shaft 33 driven from motor 34 through a suitable speed reducing arrangement including sheaves and belts 35 within arguard housing 36. The standpipe 14 and inlet pipe 13 in the present instance are fed through a conventinal T connection 3:7y from a hot water supply pipe 38"nd a cold water supply pipe 39' controlled' by re"- spective valves 40 and 41. Each valve is controlled by an in dentical lever arrangement, so the one for the hot Water onlyy will be described as to its mechanical details. The lever'43 is pivotally mounted on a lug 44 on fixed mounting plate 45, and its operating tip abuts the depressible valve stem 46. Said valve stem is biased to fulloutposition, in which position the valve is fully closed. The valve is opened by manuallyl swinging lever 43 counterc'lock'wise (Fig. l). In the valve-open position the lever is locked by a latch 47 which catches in the notch 48 on the lever 43 (Fig. 5) and is maintained in said notch by spring 49'. Obviously if said latch is released the lever will swing to original position, urged by outwardly biased movement of stem 46. The lever is' equipped with a dash-pot control 50 which permits restrained valve closing without water hammer.

The two latches 47 are rockable on a shaft 53 journalled at its ends in brackets 54 on mounting plate 45. Each latch has a protruding lug or pin 55 contactable by a respective finger 56 fixed on shaft 53. In the showing of Fig. it is apparent that if shaft 53 be rotated clockwise the finger S6 will abut pin 5S and swing latch 47 clockwise so as to release lever 43, although in Fig. 5 the lever is shown as already released. A lever 57 is fixedly mounted on shaft 53, and is linked to the plungerarmature 58 of solenoid 59, so that the lever is swung to release the latches when solenoid 59 is energized. This is timed to occur, as will appear, when the desired water level is reached in the washer. Each lever 43 (one for hot and one for cold water valve control) may be manually opened separately, as shown, but are normally closed simultaneously by rotation of shaft S3. If desired mechanical linkage may be provided, elfective on the respective levers 43, to open one or both at any desired period in the cycle.

I have provided pressure sensitive means 62 and 63 effective respectively on switches 64 and 65 for establishing and controlling maximum and minimum levels of liquid in the washer. A commercially available pressure sensitive means responds to pressure variations of air in pipe 66, which in turn is responsive to the head of liquid in washer a. The pipe 66 is connected to any convenient low point in the container, being here shown as tapped in on the washer discharge pipe 16. Other suitable pressure sensitive means can be obtained to operate a microswitch, but such means often needs a compressed air source which the disclosed embodiment avoids.

Further referring to Fig. 5, I provide timing means 67 which may be set to any desired holding period, during which period a finger 68 rotates until, at the close of the period, it contacts the armature of a switch 69 and swings it from the a position to the b position with results which will later appear.

Assuming the apparatus is in idle position, but awaiting an operation requiring a cycle wherein liquid is to be introduced to the washer and subsequently discharged after a predetermined time interval, the operator sets the timer 67 for such interval and opens the water inlet valves (or one of them) by suitably swinging levers 43 as previously described. Water begins to enter the washer, and also the standpipe 14, hitting the striker ange 71 on rod 28 and closing control valve 27 so as to close the drain valve diaphragm f3.

Setting the timer removes timer finger 68 from contact with the swinging switch blade of switch 69 and permits said blade to make contact with switch terminal 69a so as to break the circuit at terminal 691; and de-energize` solenoid 73 permitting control valve rod 28 to,drop and closing said control valve.

The choice of a liquid level is determined by the setting of a switch 74 (Fig. 5) which inthe position-shown is open, and establishes the control for the high water level. As above indicated, water is entering the washer. When the low level' is` reached switch 65 closes, but this switch is in open circuit, at switch 74, so nothing happens, and the water continues to rise. When the water reaches the predetermined higher level switch 64 is closed whereupon current oWs from L1, through conductor 75, switch 69 in a position, conductors 76 and 77, switch 64 now closed, conductors 78 and 79, solenoid 59, and conductors and 81 to L2. This swings lever 57 to release the latches 47 and cut off hot and/or cold water supply. The solenoid remains energized for the time being, which prevents maintained admission of water.

When timer 67 reaches its predetermined terminal point, nger 68 swings the blade of switch 69 to its b position, de-energizing solenoid 59. The closing of the 11" contact of switch 69 completes a circuit so as to cause discharge of the liquid content of the washer, the circuit proceeding as follows: from L1, through conductor 75, switch 69 in b position, conductor 83, solenoid 73, conductors 84 and 81 to LZ. Energization of solenoid 73 swings lever 85 clockwise, opening control valve 27 and permitting the washer to drain.

If switch 74 has been set to control low level operation, namely if switch 74 had been closed, the low level operation proceeds as follows. When the water arrives at the predetermined point, switch 65 closes establishing a circuit from L1 through conductor '75, switch 69 in a position, conductors 76 and 86, switch 65 novil closed, conductor 87, switch 74 in closed position, conductors 88 and 79 to solenoid 59, and conductors 80 and 81 to L2. Energization of 59 cuts olf the water supply as before. When the timer operates switch 69 to place its blade in the b position, solenoid 73 is energized to drain the washer as previously described.

In Figs. l, 2 and 6 the inlet piping, including portions 13 and 14, is arranged to permit filling of the standpipe before any substantial portion of the water enters the Washer so as to definitely close the control valve 27 and maintain the drain valve diaphragm 18 in closed position. If the water begins to enter the Washer before a preponderating head is built up in the standpipe a complete closure of the drain valve will probably not be attained. For this reason we show, in Fig. 7, an embodiment in which the water is fed through pipe 11a into the stand-pipe 14a at ar point lower than the inlet pipe 13a to the washer. This assures filling of the standpipe before any liquid enters the washer. The rod 28a and lever 29a perform the same functions with respect to the control valve as did the rod 28 and lever 29 in Fig. 6.

Those familiar with the effects of hydrostatic pressure will note that any preponderance of liquid head in the standpipe becomes more effective on the drain valve because pressure on the right side of the diaphragm 18 (Fig. 4) has a much greater area on which to operate than has the pressurel o f washer Water against the left side, through port 19, thereby insuring successful operation of the invention.

What I claim is:

l. Liquid discharge control means for a laundry container in which liquid-using operations are performed, comprising a drain valve, a standpipe chamber adjacent said container, liquid inlet means in communication with said chamber and said container whereby liquid entering said container also enters said chamber to establish a static head of liquid under gravity. pressure in said chamber, means for rendering said static head of liquid effective on said drain Valve to maintain said drain valve closed while said static head of liquid exists, means for discharging vsaid static head consisting of a control valve eifective, when opened, to drain said chamber, whereby to `permit opening -of said drain valve when said container .i510 be'drained, and automatic lmeans for Iclosing said control valve comprisingmeans disposed in said standpipe chamber, and operatively. effective upon said control valve, and adapted to intercept the stream of liquid entering said standpipe chamber, whereby to exert closing bias on said control valve when struck by said entering stream.

2. Liquid discharge control means for a laundry container in which timed operations are performed, comprising an outlet port, a drain valve consisting of a flexible diaphragm mounted adjacent said port and adapted for closing movement to sealing contact with said port or opening movement away from said port, a standpipe chamber adjacent said container, liquid inlet means in communication with said chamber and said container whereby liquid entering said container also enters said chamber to establish a static head of liquid under gravity pressure in said chamber, means for rendering said static head of liquid effective against said flexible diaphragm to maintain said drain valve closed while said static head of liquid exists, means for discharging said static head whereby to permit opening of said drain valve when said timed operation is finished, means consisting of a control valve eliective, when opened, to drain said chamber, and means for automatically closing said control valve at the be ginning of a working cycle comprising operating means carried by said control valve and extending into said stand-pipe chamber in the path of the liquid stream entering said chamber, whereby, when said stream strikes said operating means said control valve is moved to closed position.

3. Liquid discharge control means for a laundry container in which timed operations are performed, comprising an outlet port, a drain valve consisting of a flexible diaphragm mounted adjacent said port and adapted for closing movement to sealing contact with said port, or opening movement away from said port, a stand-pipe chamber adjacent said container, liquid inlet means in communication with said chamber, and said container whereby liquid entering said container also enters said chamber to establish a static head of liquid under gravity pressure in said chamber, means for rendering said static head of liquid effective against said flexible diaphragm to maintain said drain valve closed while said static head of liquid exists, means for discharging said static head whereby to permit opening of said drain Valve when said timed operation is nished, said means consisting of a control valve effective, when opened, to drain said chamber, a timer adapted to be preset to measure the length of a timed operation, means responsive to said timer, and energized at completion of said timed operation, for opening said control valve, and means for automatically closing said control Valve at the beginning of a working cycle comprising operating means carried by said control valve and extending into said stand-pipe chamber in the path of the liquid stream entering said chamber whereby, when said stream strikes said operating means said control valve is moved to closed position.

4. Liquid discharge control means for a laundry container in which timed operations are performed, comprising an outlet port, a drain valve consisting of a flexible diaphragm mounted adjacent said port and adapted for closing movement to sealing contact with said port or opening movement away from said port, a stand-pipe chamber adjacent said container, liquid inlet means in communication with said chamber and said container whereby liquid entering said container also enters said chamber to establish a static head of liquid under gravity pressure in said chamber, means for rendering said static head of liquid effective against said exible diaphragm to maintain said drain valve closed while said static head of iiquid exists, means for discharging said static head whereby to permit opening of said drain valve when said timed operation is iinished, said means consisting of a control valve eiective when opened to drain said chamber, a control valve operating rod extending from said control valve through said standpipe chamber, a control solenoid, means operatively connecting said solenoid and said operating rod, a timer adapted to be preset to measure the length of a timed operation, whereby, upon the expiration of the time operation said solenoid operates said rod to open said control valve, and means for automatically closing said control valve at the beginning of a working cycle comprising abutment means on said operating rod within said stand-pipe chamber in the path of the liquid stream entering said chamber whereby, when said stream strikes said operating means said control valve is moved to closed position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,193,720 Griswold Mar. 12, 1940 2,430,668 Chamberlin Nov. 11, 1947 2,612,035 Buss et al. Sept. 30, 1952 

